Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses former players returning to the PGA Tour in a new podcast.
The Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy shared his skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League in a more than 60-minute podcast episode of the series ‘Stick to Football’ on the English channel ‘The Overlap,’ released on Friday. The league is financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy talked about his fundamental stance on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. He also addressed the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major winner and one of LIV Golf’s strongest critics since its founding in 2022 speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the newly established league if it does not yield profits in the long run. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t attract viewers and they’ve invested so much money into this project without a payoff, I don’t know how long they can sustain it.’
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced at the end of October 2025 that the league had generated about half a billion euros in sponsorship revenue over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might occur. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ predicted in May 2025 that investments from the Saudi PIF would rise to five billion US dollars by the end of 2025. In October 2025, it was also revealed that the UK branch of the league had already recorded a total loss of 1.1 billion US dollars between its start and the end of 2024, including 450 million US dollars in 2024 alone.
McIlroy: ‘I Don’t Like What LIV Golf Has Done to Our Sport’
‘I don’t like what LIV Golf has done to our sport because it caused this massive division. Last time on this podcast, I said I might have been too quick to judge the guys who went there, as not everyone is in the same situation as I am,’ McIlroy said, adding, ‘When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s kind of hard to say no.’
At the same time, McIlroy believes LIV Golf has not yet found sustainable appeal among fans and viewers but acknowledged the league has some positive elements. He describes himself as a ‘traditionalist’ and suspects this limits his thinking. Nevertheless, he stated, ‘They came in and said, “We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.” Even the switch from 54 to 72 holes to gain world ranking points is just doing what everyone else does.’ He added, ‘So, what is different now—besides the money?’
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Returnees and the 2025 Ryder Cup
Regarding the possible return of former LIV players to the PGA Tour—such as Brooks Koepka